Injuries to Vurnon Anita, Isaac Hayden and Dwight Gayle haven’t exactly helped his plans and with Sammy Ameobi, Jamie Sterry and Haris Vuckic all cup-tied there are some big gaps in the squad at the moment.

Throw in the fact that other potential contenders to face the Blues like Cal Roberts, Fred Woodman and Sean Longstaff are all on loan to Kilmarnock and options are clearly limited.

The likes of Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, Jamie Holmes, Dan Barlaser and Stuart Findlay were all left out of the reserve team’s loss to Swansea City and could be in contention.

Referee

Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

His last appointment involving Newcastle was the 2-1 win at Burton - when both sides complained of penalties after contact in the box.

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Lee Ryder’s prediction

Newcastle have tried to ensure there will be a decent crowd by slashing the prices for this FA Cup replay.

With promotion very much the focus at United this competition is not the priority at St James’ Park this season.

But Rafa Benitez will still feel his side have a path to the last 16 of the competition if they want it badly enough.

Victory tonight and then at Oxford at the end of the month is certainly achievable and could set up some excitement in round five.

For now, Benitez will try to cajole his patched-up team and get through at the second time of asking.

As Birmingham showed in the first game at St Andrew’s it won’t be easy, but I still expect Newcastle to make progress with a battling win in front of their own fans.